Academy romp home - and now for the Cup

— 15 May 2011

Opener George Ross led the way with 78 and paceman James Wainman picked up three wickets as Yorkshire Academy dispatched Driffield by 116 runs in the Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier League yesterday.

It was a meeting of two teams who have struggled at the foot of the League, but the Academy struck the first blow at Weetwood by winning the toss and electing to bat.

The openers ran up a fine 64, but the stand was broken when James McNichol was run out for 21, and three balls later skipper James Leaning was well caught low down by left-arm spinner Nick Hardgrave. Golcar wicket-keeper Eddie Wilson, who has enjoyed a strong debut with Yorkshire Seconds this season, then made his first entrance for the Academy. Golcar’s loss was Yorkshire’s gain as Ross and Wilson piled up a superb 81.

A sharp chance to Sam Drury off his own bowling saw him saw him dismiss Ross – whose holding innings of 78 was well paced, containing four fours and two huge sixes over long-on. Wilson, 65, and David Girling, 17, added 34 in a partnership notable for Wilson’s excellent running between the wickets and his six boundaries.

Rain had threatened throughout the innings, but it held off for the Academy to reach 214-7 in their allocated 55 overs. The tea time team talk certainly was effective: Girling, for once opening the attack, clean bowled Sam Drury, three, with the Driffield total on three, and Woodmancey soon followed lbw to Wainman.

Ashley Robinson, bowling straighter than he has done all season, accounted for opener Will Norman, 23, and Danny Broumpton, 12 . 54-4…and 66-6 when with consecutive balls Josh Shaw bowled Rob Drury and skipper David Brent.

Nick Hardgarve and wicket-keeper James Major had a dogged stand of 26, but Hardgrave’s innings ended when he pushed an easy catch to Alex Leyshon at mid-off. Sam Tennant lasted for two deliveries from Wainman, whose 3-12 were just return for 10 excellent overs.

James Tattersall needed only three overs of spin to bowl out two tail-end batsmen, Driffield closing on 98. The Academy’s confidence must have grown with this 116-run victory. Let us hope that they have more success in the League Cup today when they again welcome Driffield to Weetwood.